The Seriousness of Sin and the Bible’s Answer (a reflection from Jamaica)

It is hard to believe that a month ago I was in Jamaica, along with 17 others, for a mission trip. I intended to write this post almost as soon as I returned home, but as usual, life gets busy, and I didn’t make the time to write the post as one of the many reflections I had from my trip.

I’ve now been blessed with the opportunity to go to Jamaica specifically for the purpose of spreading God’s Word three times. Each experience has taught me a lot; not only about myself, my fellow workers, and the Jamaican people, but also, and most importantly, the power of the Gospel. God’s Word is powerful, and does bring salvation to those who are willing to obey it.

Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Teaching the Gospel in Jamaica also reminds me of the seriousness of sin and why we need salvation from sin. Sin, transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4), separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2).  Once we reach an age of understanding, we all sin (Romans 3:23), and because of sin, are worthy of death (Romans 6:23). Our sin separates us from God, and condemns us to a place of everlasting punishment for eternity (Matthew 25:31-46).

Thankfully, God sent His Son, giving us the gift of salvation if we choose to accept it. However, we must realize that there are certain things that God says we must do to accept His gift of salvation - to be washed of our sins so that we are no longer separated from Him. The Bible teaches that to be saved – to come to God - and be cleansed from our sins we must hear and understand God’s Word (John 6:45), believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24), confess that Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 10:10), repent of our sins (Acts 17:30), and be baptized (immersed) (Mark 16:16). One example of conversion recorded for us in the Bible is found in Acts 8:26-40. There we see the account of the Ethiopian eunuch: Philip taught the eunuch about Christ (Acts 8:30-35), the eunuch believed in Christ (Acts 8:37), he repented (Acts 8:36), he confessed Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 8:37), and was baptized (Acts 8:38). Notice that the eunuch’s joy comes after his baptism (Acts 8:39), not before. Sadly, some men have perverted God’s Word teaching that baptism isn’t essential to salvation. Consider some of the things that happen at the point of baptism: we receive remission (forgiveness) of sins (Acts 2:38); our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16); we are saved (1 Peter 3:21); and we are added to the church (Acts 2:47).  If sin separates us from God, how can we be right with Him if our sins have not been washed away?

For further discussion about what God teaches through the Bible about how to receive salvation, I encourage you to listen to this lesson by Brother Dan Winkler about becoming a child of God. As always, I’d love to discuss this further with you as well – you can email me (beingwhatiwanttobe at gmail dot com) or write in the comments below.

Time is Valuable

Since about the beginning of March, I’ve felt like we’ve been going non-stop. Mostly the things that have kept us busy have been wonderful, exciting, important things. However, when we are SO busy I really start to evaluate my time more. Am I spending my time wisely? Am I spending my time on things that are important? Am I wasting time? Am I spending time on things that benefit my family? Am I spending time on things that distract me from my family?

I know that I waste a lot of time. Too much time. I spend too much time on things that don’t matter. Things that suck my precious time away – something that I can’t get back. I realize that in a lot of ways I really need to simplify my life so that I’m surrounded by less “time-wasters.” For instance, clearing out the lengthy list of blogs in my google reader. Don’t get me wrong – I love reading blogs, but I had a ton of blogs in my list that I never actually read anymore – some that I simply just clicked “next” on all the time. Sifting through the clutter of the blogs that I wasn’t reading anymore was taking away valuable time.

I also consider the amount of time I spend working on/cleaning up/organizing the house. There are so many things that we have in our house that we don’t even use or haven’t touched in a long time. I want to clear that stuff away. When it is cleared away, there will be fewer physical things that need to be cared for around the house – which is a great thing on many levels. I also need to keep up with my Flylady daily assignments, which really DO make my life simpler and help me be more efficient with the time I spend working around the house.

In our ladies class we’ve been studying through a book called Because I Said So by Celine Sparks. One of the points she brought out is that we often spend too much time trying to “find time” rather than making it a priority to get the things done we ought to do. When we try to “find time” we rarely actually find it because we haven’t made those things a priority. I can’t simply “find time” to study my Bible or “find time” to spend reading books to my children or “find time” to pray to God– I have to allocate time for those precious activities.

You didn’t need to read the title of my post or the content of this blog to know that time is valuable. But I needed the reminder to make the most of my time and to spend it wisely because it is valuable.

I Heart Faces: Happiness

 

Happy 18 Months Troy!

Eighteen months! Wow, a year and a half! Time flies so fast! I’m so thankful for you!

Your laughter is truly infectious, especially when your dad is tickling you. I can never get the same kind of laugh out of you that your dad does. I guess I’m just not funny enough! ; )

You love to “go! go! go!” Whenever someone is holding you, you’ll say “go! go! go!” meaning you want down to GO!

Your hair has come in so nice and neat . . . in face, people have asked me if you’ve gotten a hair cut because it is so even. So different from Ella’s (still!) crazy hair.

Your expressions are pretty priceless at times. You certainly know how to put on a pouty face. And, if I couldn’t tell otherwise, I’d know immediately that you and Ella were related when I saw the pouty faces appear. It is so funny to me how much your pouty faces look alike!

You figured out how to climb in and out of chairs this month, and you LOVED playing in Ella’s rocking chair.

I’ve mentioned it before, but you like to climb, and I walked in to the scene below one day this past month. Your climbing scares me, but I know it is a part of growing up. I’m just not used to it because Ella never was (and really still isn’t) much of a climber at all. (OK, so after reading Ella’s 18 month post, apparently she did climb, and I just don’t remember!) You figured out how to dance standing up (not holding onto anything) this month as well . . . your movements are too funny!

You love, love, love being outside! You’ll pick up your shoes and bring them to us to put on you so you can go play outside. When we play outside, and it is time to come inside, you often throw a fit because you want to play outside so much.  You love throwing leaves and exploring everywhere.

Signs you do: more, finished, milk, hungry, thank you, please, thirsty, sleepy, bath

Words you say: Truthfully, you know more words than I can count or keep track of these days, but here are the ones I can remember for now, granted, your dad and I (and maybe Ella) might be the only ones who understand you. bye, ball, Bible, bottle, bite, book, blue, mama, dada, Ella, “eeses” (Reeses, our dog), “ah-ee” (Ali, our other dog), Lucy (grandparent’s dog), “anks” (thanks), “ank oo” (thank you), “ish” (fish), “inished” (finished), duck, “ootball” (football), hut (as in football), basketball, RhuRhu (grandma), Gigi (grandma), Pop-pa (grandpa), hey, hi, down, up, uh-uh, “eese” (please), play, ready, “gup” (cup), cracker, chicken, cat, slide, Bailey (a friend), Katy (a friend), Ashy (a friend), trash, clap, shoes,  cookie, cow, stinky, go, Mickey (like Mickey Mouse). I also think you say something that sounds like “what’s that?” and “I want” (as in “I want a bite”)

Animal noises you make: chicken, duck, cow, dog

Body parts you can identify: nose, eyes, mouth, ears (I think!)

Favorite foods: banana and beans, generally rice, goldfish, and crackers, and then I don’t know what else. You eat a ton of different stuff, but half the time something you gobbled up the day before, you won’t touch the next day. It can make it very tough figuring out what to feed you!

Favorite activities: walking (and almost running!) and exploring everything, especially following Ella or chasing a dog; reading books; watching Blue’s Clues; taking baths; playing with balls (you love to throw any kind of ball); playing outside; playing with toys, especially talking on the phone or putting things over your head or playing with the kitchen stuff; trying get any electronics or drinks you can spot.

 

Troy @ 17 Months

Ella @ 18 Months

Drafting Dinner: Weekly Menu Planning

Last week’s menu was a bust (meaning I didn’t cook at home nearly enough), but I’m already off to a better start this week. Here’s what I have planned:

• Roasted red bell peppers stuffed with ground beef, cream cheese, and shredded cheese
• Grilled chicken and sausage with black eyed peas and grilled squash
• Roast with scalloped potatoes
• Hamburgers
• Steak with mashed potatoes and a veggie

Thankful Thursday {Jamaica Edition}

A full (likely long!) post about my mission trip to Jamaica is coming, but for now, a few things I’m thankful for related to the Jamaica trip.

• I’m thankful for my parents, who watched Ella and Troy during the trip. We are so blessed to have family who is always willing to watch our children.
• I’m thankful for the members of the mission team. I’m thankful they chose to spend a tiring week in Jamaica in Christian fellowship and the spreading of the gospel.
• I’m thankful for a renewed focus on spiritual things. I’m thankful for spiritual conversations and mindsets.
• I’m thankful for the studies that caused us to dig deeper in our faith.
• I’m thankful for the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16).
• I’m thankful for the eight souls who put on Christ (Galatians 3:27) and washed away their sins (Acts 22:16).
• I’m thankful for the study and preparation that was put in before the team ever left Texas.
• I’m thankful for the Jamaicans who allowed us onto their front porches, their homes, or even their shops to hear God’s Word.
• I’m thankful for the Jamaican brethren. I’m thankful for the Christian fellowship we enjoyed together. I’m thankful for the Jamaican brethren who walked the streets of Jamaica with us, teaching souls the Bible.
• I’m thankful for the opportunity to sing praises to God, and to hear God’s Word preached throughout the week. I appreciate the opportunity to hear God’s Word preached more than ever now that I have children who do not always allow me to hear the lessons.
• I’m thankful for Christ’s sacrifice that allows all the opportunity to spend eternity in heaven, if you choose to obey His commands.

Drafting Dinner: Weekly Menu Planning

After being away for a week for a Mission Trip to Jamaica, it is time to get back into the swing of things here at home. I cannot wait to share with you some reflections about our trip to Jamaica, but for now, the week’s menu.

• Breakfast for dinner: pancakes, bacon, and eggs
• Panko-crusted chicken parmesan
• Ham, black-eyed peas, and cornbread
• Chicken enchilada casserole
• Grilled steak with grilled veggies
• Hamburgers